More Than a Sense of Hope: Unity in the Midst of Disaster

Life-changing events have a way of narrowing one’s perspective on what is actually important. The recent hurricane that took the path of the Crews family of banks has done just that for all of us here.

Seasoned Florida hurricane veterans remember the devastation of the 2004 hurricane season when four major storms slammed our state, but for newer residents, Irma and Ian will live in infamy. Whether you’ve lived here your entire life or if you’re a recent transplant, you have one attribute as a Floridian – you take care of your neighbor, especially in the most dire of circumstances. And to that end, the Crews Family of banks believes in helping our employees and customers so that they can rebuild their homes and livelihoods.

After every major storm, there are a few things you can count on – a few warm and sticky days from not having power, the monotonous hum of generators, and, most importantly, the genuine concerns of friends, family, and neighbors. We step outside the next morning to survey the damage only to be met by those friendly faces wondering if we’re okay. We help each other tarp roofs, offer food and water, help clean up debris, and just generously and graciously help wherever it is needed.

For Amber Brock, Personal Banker for Crews Bank & Trust in Arcadia, whose family lost everything, said she received the immediate support she needed. “[My Crews banking family] brought in clothes for my kids, shoes for my kids, and boots for my husband to go to work,” Brock explained. The Crews family of banks knows what it means to have unity in the midst of disaster. It’s what makes us human. It’s what gives us a sense of purpose – to ensure our fellow Floridians will make it through the aftermath of the storm because, according to Justin Fussell, DeSoto County Market President “we’re a family [and] we’re going to do what we have to do to take care of each other.”

Many of our employees and customers suffered damage to their homes and businesses after Hurricane Ian. We empathized about our damaged roofs and soggy carpets, impassable roads from flooding or downed trees, and fences that no longer exist in our community that we hardly recognize. Nevertheless, from all the stories we have heard, there is one resounding theme: Hope. Not just a sense of hope, but a confidence that we will get through this together. We know it is driven by you – our customers and employees. By your concern for others. By your benevolence. By caring for the needs of those in our community. We have that same confidence in our employees, our customers, and our communities. As Loan Officer Gloria Olivera said, “We’ll get through this, and we’ll become stronger.”

Our hearts are with every person affected by the devastating effects of Hurricane Ian, and we are both humbled and grateful for the many selfless acts of generosity we have seen both within our bank family and in our communities. We know that our fellow Floridians will, indeed, get through this as we have before.

For our Crews family of employees and customers, we’re still here for you.